Felon allegedly flees police, takes hostage in Phoenix

A felon wanted for probation violations allegedly fled police and took a man hostage in his own Phoenix apartment Thursday afternoon before being arrested.

Ruben Valdez, 30, was riding with Victor Hernandez, 24, when the Phoenix Police Department's gang squad pulled over the vehicle near 44th Avenue and Bethany Home Road about 12:45 p.m., said Sgt. Tommy Thompson, a Phoenix police spokesman.

Hernandez, whom police wanted to question for information about a homicide, was taken into custody, but Valdez took off running, gun in hand, into an apartment complex, Thompson said.
He then entered a stranger's apartment at gunpoint, barricading himself in the bathroom, Thompson said. Police took the tenant outside, and authorities negotiated Valdez's surrender.

A search of the suspects' vehicle turned up cocaine packaged for sale, $1,100 cash and extra ammunition, Thompson said. Both will likely be charged with possession of narcotic drugs for sale and transporting narcotics, Thompson said.